WHAT EACH CHARGE CARRIES
10 charges people actually meet, each with the section it comes from, what it requires the state to show, and the most it can carry. Oregon sorts a crime into a Class A, B or C misdemeanor or felony, and a violation into Class A to D, and the code fixes each class's longest term and largest fine, so each level here names its class and that range.
10 charges
Assault in the fourth degree
A MISD to C FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as assault, hit someone, fight, punched, assault 4
Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing physical injury to another, or with criminal negligence causing physical injury with a deadly weapon.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$6,250 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
| C FELONYClass C felony | Up to 5 years$125,000 fine | WhenA minor child of either person saw it, a prior assault on the same victim, at least three prior assault convictions, or knowing the victim was pregnant, among others the section lists |
Where it constitutes domestic violence, the judgment says so.
Assault in the third degree
C FELONY to B FELONY · up to 10 years
Also searched as assault 3, serious injury, assault on a bus driver, assault on a medic
Recklessly causing serious physical injury with a dangerous weapon, or injuring a transit or taxi operator, an emergency medical provider or a highway worker on duty, among the other ways the section lists.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| C FELONYClass C felony | Up to 5 years$125,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
| B FELONYClass B felony | Up to 10 years$250,000 fine | WhenSerious injury recklessly caused by a driver who was under the influence |
Menacing
A MISD · up to 364 days
Also searched as threatened to hurt, brandishing, pulled a knife, threatening gesture
By word or conduct, intentionally attempting to place another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$6,250 fine | WhenAny menacing |
Harassment
B MISD to A MISD · up to 364 days
Also searched as harassing, shoved, threatening texts, offensive contact
Intentionally subjecting someone to offensive physical contact, or alarming them with a known false report of death or injury, or a threat of serious physical injury or a felony.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| B MISDClass B misdemeanor | Up to 6 months$2,500 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$6,250 fine | WhenTouching intimate parts, a household member with a child witnessing, or a repeated threat against the same victim, among others |
Stalking
A MISD to C FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as following someone, stalker, won't stop contacting me
Knowingly alarming or coercing someone through repeated and unwanted contact, where that is objectively reasonable and causes reasonable apprehension for their safety or their family's.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$6,250 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
| C FELONYClass C felony | Up to 5 years$125,000 fine | WhenAfter a prior stalking conviction or stalking order violation, or where one of the contacts was itself a felony |
Criminal trespass
C MISD to A MISD · up to 364 days
Also searched as trespassing, told to leave, trespass notice, came back to the store
Entering or remaining unlawfully in a motor vehicle or on premises; in a dwelling, on railroad property, or back in a store after a merchant's notice to steal is first degree.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| C MISDClass C misdemeanor | Up to 30 days$1,250 fine | WhenSecond degree: a vehicle or premises |
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$6,250 fine | WhenFirst degree: a dwelling, railroad property, premises declared unfit, or returning to steal after a merchant's notice |
Resisting arrest
A MISD · up to 364 days
Also searched as resisting, fought the officer, pulled away
Intentionally resisting a person known to be a peace officer or parole and probation officer in making an arrest, by violence, force or other means creating a substantial risk of injury.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$6,250 fine | WhenAny resisting arrest; passive resistance does not count |
Reckless driving
A MISD · up to 364 days
Also searched as reckless, burnout, street takeover, dangerous driving
Recklessly driving on a highway or premises open to the public in a way that endangers people or property, or spinning the rear tires for a gathered crowd.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$6,250 fine | WhenAny reckless driving |
Driving under the influence of intoxicants
A MISD to C FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as DUII, DUI, drunk driving, driving high
Driving with 0.08 percent or more alcohol in the blood, or under the influence of an intoxicant or a combination of intoxicants.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$6,250 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
| C FELONYClass C felony | Up to 5 years$125,000 fine | WhenIn a motor vehicle, after at least three prior convictions in the 10 years before |
Alcohol under 21
B VIOLATION to A VIOLATION · no jail
Also searched as minor in possession, MIP, underage drinking, fake id
A person under 21 trying to buy, buying, acquiring or possessing alcohol, outside a private home with a consenting parent, or entering a part of licensed premises closed to minors.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| B VIOLATIONClass B violation | No jail$1,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
| A VIOLATIONClass A violation | No jail$2,000 fine | WhenPossession while operating a motor vehicle |
No fine may be imposed on a person who was under 18, and the court orders the driving privileges suspended.
Every class on this page, for reference
Each term and fine comes from the code's tables. Where a person gained money or property from a crime, the fine can instead be up to double the gain. A violation carries a fine and no jail.
- B VIOLATIONClass B violationNo jail$1,000
- A VIOLATIONClass A violationNo jail$2,000
- C MISDClass C misdemeanorUp to 30 days$1,250
- B MISDClass B misdemeanorUp to 6 months$2,500
- A MISDClass A misdemeanorUp to 364 days$6,250
- C FELONYClass C felonyUp to 5 years$125,000
- B FELONYClass B felonyUp to 10 years$250,000
Words on a charging document
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
15 words
- Criminal mistreatment in the first degreeA person with a legal duty to care for another, or who has taken on that care, intentionally or knowingly withholding necessary and adequate food, physical care or medical attention, or causing physical injury to a dependent person. A Class C felony.
- Disorderly conduct in the second degreeFighting or violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior, unreasonable noise, disturbing a lawful assembly, or obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic on a public way, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk of it. A Class B misdemeanor.
- Driving uninsuredOperating a motor vehicle on a highway or premises open to the public without a qualifying liability policy, or other proof of financial responsibility on file with the Department of Transportation. A Class B traffic violation.
- Drug paraphernaliaEquipment that is unlawful to sell or deliver, or to possess or manufacture with intent to sell or deliver, knowing it will be used to grow, make, prepare, store, conceal or introduce a controlled substance into the body unlawfully.
- Failure to report as a sex offenderThe crime of not making a report the registration law requires. A Class A misdemeanor in general, and a Class C felony for failing to make the initial report.
- Felon in possession of a firearmA person convicted of a felony under the law of Oregon, any other state or the United States owning, possessing or controlling any firearm. A Class C felony.
- Felon in possession of a restricted weaponA person convicted of a felony owning, possessing or controlling a knife whose blade projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force, a blackjack, slungshot, sandbag or metal knuckles, or carrying a dirk, dagger or stiletto. A Class A misdemeanor.
- ForfeitureTaking property as proceeds or an instrumentality of a crime. In every Oregon forfeiture action the forfeiting agency has to prove that a person has been convicted of a crime that constitutes prohibited conduct.
- HazingA student organization, or a member of one, intentionally hazing a member, potential member or pledge as a condition of joining or of gaining an office or status in the organization.
- Immunity for calling about an overdoseThe protection the person who contacts emergency medical services or law enforcement for someone experiencing a drug-related overdose, and the person who needed the help, have from arrest, prosecution or a civil penalty for the listed offenses, where the evidence was obtained because of the call.
- Preponderance of the evidenceThe standard a forfeiting agency meets to forfeit personal property. Real property takes clear and convincing evidence.
- Qualified interpreterOne who can transfer the meaning of statements to and from English, keeping their meaning, tone, level, style and register, without additions or omissions, and who can interpret the person's dialect, slang or specialized vocabulary.
- Reasonable physical forceForce a parent or legal guardian of a minor child may use when, and to the extent, the parent reasonably believes it necessary to maintain discipline or promote the child's welfare. Force used that way is justified and not criminal.
- RiotParticipating with five or more other persons in tumultuous and violent conduct that intentionally or recklessly creates a grave risk of causing public alarm. A Class C felony.
- SwitchbladeA knife whose blade projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force. Carrying one concealed upon the person is a Class B misdemeanor.
About this guide — maximums, not predictions. What a specific case carries turns on priors, the facts, and the court, and only a licensed Oregon attorney can tell you what yours is. Current as of October 2026.